The Enforcement Directorate arrested alleged Mahadev betting app promoter Saurabh Chandrakar in Raipur on November 13, 2026, and secured custody until November 19. Chandrakar was extradited from Oman on November 1 and previously questioned by the CBI. Investigators are examining alleged illegal betting proceeds, mule bank accounts, hawala transactions and overseas financial links. The ED's latest statement also outlines a wider investigation involving thousands of betting panels, multiple accused and property attachments.
ED Arrests Saurabh Chandrakar in Rs 6,000 Crore Mahadev App Scam, Gets Custody Until November 19
The Enforcement Directorate has arrested alleged Mahadev betting app kingpin Saurabh Chandrakar after his extradition from Oman and secured seven days' custody in the money laundering probe.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday, November 13, 2026, arrested the alleged mastermind of the Rs 6,000-crore betting operation, taking a major turn in the investigation into the Saurabh Chandrakar Mahadev App Scam.
Chandrakar was produced before a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Raipur and Special Judge Amit Rathore remanded the agency in custody till November 19. The arrest was made at 3.10 pm after long arguments between the defence and the investigating agency before the court granted permission, the ED said.
Saurabh Chandrakar Arrest Follows Extradition From Oman
Chandrakar was extradited from Oman earlier this month and was produced before the Raipur court on November 4, which gave the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) eight days of custody. The CBI was allowed to take him to Delhi for questioning in connection with a related case involving an alleged illegal betting network. The case details said the CBI did not seek further custody of Chandrakar when he was produced before the court on Thursday after the remand period was over.
The ED then approached the PMLA court for a production warrant, which was issued on Thursday. The development was confirmed to the Press Trust of India (PTI) by agency counsel Sourabh Kumar Pande. On Friday, Chandrakar was produced before Special Judge Amit Rathore, and the ED sought permission to formally arrest him and take him into custody for interrogation.
Mahadev Online Book Allegedly Operated Illegal Betting Network
Mahadev Online Book was one of the biggest illegal online betting syndicates in India and operated from outside the country through a huge network of branches, the CBI said. The platform, which is said to have facilitated bets on cricket, football matches, card games and other events, generated substantial revenue from its online operations.
Investigators say the money was moved through numerous mule bank accounts, layered across multiple transactions and then sent abroad via hawala channels.
According to the investigating agency, some of the alleged proceeds were used to pay protection money to public servants. The ED is separately investigating the money laundering aspects of the case. In its investigation, the total proceeds of crime have been estimated at about Rs 6,000 crore.
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Bhupesh Baghel Named Among Accused in Chhattisgarh Betting Scam
The probe into the Mahadev betting app acquired political significance following allegations of the involvement of senior politicians and bureaucrats during the previous Congress government in Chhattisgarh. When the BJP came back to power in the state, the ED filed a report and the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) registered an FIR in March 2024, said the lawyer.
The FIR has been registered under sections of criminal conspiracy, cheating and the Prevention of Corruption Act, widening the probe into alleged financial and political linkages.
Former Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel and alleged app promoters Ravi Uppal, Saurabh Chandrakar, Shubham Soni and Anil Kumar Agrawal were named among the accused along with 14 others. Chandrakar and co-accused Ravi Uppal, both residents of Durg district in Chhattisgarh, promoted the Mahadev Book App and operated its online betting operations, the ED has alleged.
Further ED Investigation Expected in Mahadev App Case
The seven-day custody of Chandrakar would likely help the investigators in questioning him about the alleged betting operations, financial transactions and suspected money laundering channels. The probe is also still looking into the alleged participation of public servants and political figures, but the charges continue to be under judicial review.
The latest arrest is another significant phase in the Rs 6,000-crore investigation, and further proceedings are likely to establish the money trail and individual roles alleged by investigators.
